Description
#ghostdubs #vinyl #vinylrecords
Ghost Dubs, known in the underground dub scene as Michael Fiedler aka Jah Schulz, has emerged once again, this time with a groundbreaking album titled Damaged. Released under The Bug’s PRESSURE label, this project marks a significant evolution in Fiedler’s experimental dub journey, blending the roots of traditional Jamaican dub with the cutting-edge sounds of Berlin’s electronic scene. Damaged is a hypnotic exploration of dub music’s darker and more abstract facets, marking it as a must-listen for fans of the genre.
The album opens with Chemical, an opiated, slow-motion skank that immediately sets the tone for what’s to come. The track’s pulsations echo Plastikman’s Consumed era, but with an added depth of sub-aquatic effects that are signature to Ghost Dubs’ sound. This intro track is a perfect encapsulation of the album’s intent—to take listeners on a deep, immersive journey through a soundscape that is as much about atmosphere as it is about rhythm. The noise and hiss that permeate the track give it an organic texture, while the relentless sub-bass underpins the entire composition, making it both a hypnotic and tactile listening experience.
As the album progresses, tracks like Thin Line and Dub Lobotomy further demonstrate Fiedler’s mastery of live dubbing and mixing. Thin Line stands out as a missing link between the percussive explorations of African Headcharge and the addictive minimalism of Rhythm & Sound, with a subtle nod to Burial’s hauntological soundscapes. Meanwhile, Dub Lobotomy offers a surreal reinterpretation of Miles Davis’ Get Up with It, reimagined through a futuristic dub lens that transports the listener to a reimagined Kingston Town, rife with echoes and otherworldly effects.
The entirety of Damaged is underpinned by an obsessive balance between heavy, bass-driven grooves and ethereal, ambient textures. Tracks like Hot Wired and True to Life delve into more experimental territory, with spooked steppas rhythms and haunting house beats that shift the album into new, uncharted sonic territories. The influence of Berlin’s electronic music scene is palpable throughout, with a tip of the hat to legendary producers like Pole, whose influence can be felt in the track Second Thoughts. The album’s mastering, done by Stefan Betke at Scape Mastering, ensures that the high-quality sound is maintained across the entire record, making each track a powerful statement in its own right.
Damaged is more than just an album; it is a sonic journey that challenges the boundaries of what dub music can be. Ghost Dubs has crafted a record that not only pays homage to the genre’s roots but also pushes it forward into new and exciting directions. With its combination of submerged melodies, narcotic dub effects, and massive basslines, Damaged stands as a testament to the enduring power and versatility of dub music in the 21st century. For those seeking to explore the deeper, darker side of dub, Damaged offers the perfect entry point into Ghost Dubs’ spectral soundworld.
